HB546 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed Henry

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Terri CollinsChad FincherApril WeaverAlan HarperKurt Wallace

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Schools, nonpublic K-12 schools, autonomy of clarified, Secs. 16-28-1, 16-28-5, 16-28-7 repealed

Summary

HB546 creates the Educational Opportunities Act to expand the autonomy of nonpublic K-12 schools in Alabama while setting reporting, transfer, and access rules for students and public higher education.

What This Bill Does

It gives nonpublic schools more self-direction and requires them to identify with the State Department of Education each year, plus establish procedures for safeguarding student records if a school closes. It sets guidelines for private tutors and requires attendance law compliance and background checks for employees. It also ensures students transferring from nonpublic to public schools are treated like other public-school transfer students, requires acceptance of credits from identified nonpublic schools, and protects graduates of nonpublic schools from discrimination by public colleges, universities, and certain public programs; it creates an advisory committee and repeals several existing attendance-law provisions.

Who It Affects

• Nonpublic schools (church, parochial, and private) and their students, who gain more autonomy but face annual identification with the state, record-keeping, attendance compliance, and tutor guidelines.
• Public colleges, universities, and K-12 public boards and students, who gain protections against discrimination based on attending a nonpublic school and benefits in credit/transfer recognition and admission policies.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Educational Opportunities Act to clarify nonpublic school autonomy and create new framework for K-12 education outside public schools.
• Nonpublic schools must annually identify with the State Department of Education and set procedures for disposing of student records if the school ceases operation.
• Provides guidelines for private tutors, including certification, filing requirements, and record-keeping of instruction and attendance.
• Transfers from identified nonpublic schools to public schools are treated the same as transfers from public schools; credits and coursework from identified nonpublic schools must be accepted by local public boards.
• The Department and local boards must recognize accrediting agencies recognized by the US Department of Education; no nonpublic school is required to be accredited.
• Public postsecondary institutions and programs cannot deny admission or employment solely because a student graduated from a secondary nonpublic school prior to the act’s effective date; GED requirements are adjusted where applicable.
• An advisory committee of Department and private school officials will review and advise on administration of the act and Alabama Administrative Code changes.
• Repeals sections relating to definitions, private tutors, and enrollment reports under state school attendance laws.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Schools